EMPLOYMENT ...We transported goods. We worked and died on Broken Hill mines. We built churches , schools , businesses and homes. We worked on pipelines and railways ...

I remember during the Depression the miners used to march with the Red Flag in Argent Street and finish up at the Trades Hall. They were given some food: vegetables, cabbages, cauliflowers and a few other things just to live. I remember those days. Paul Sultana

I said to Joe, ̒ We have to work long hours, so weʼll work togetherʼ. I did all the work when Joe was not around, I tell you! I was not afraid of hard work. Rosina Franze

The New South Wales Government contracted the Broken Hill Water Board to connect the sewerage in the citybecause only a small part of Broken Hill had the sewerage on. When I first started with the Water Board, I operated the jackhammer, digging trenches. I was quite happy to do that. Ivan Vlatko

My first job in Australia was working at the Gas Company shovelling coke. I stayed on for about two weeks and then my brother and I got a job in Menindee with Water Conservation. Karl Karthauser

I worked at the Gas Works. They gave me a traineeship in the yards. If you worked overtime you would get twenty five to twenty seven pounds a week. That’s what I was looking for. Giuseppe (Joe) Franze

A lot of migrants worked for the Water Board because most of them were unskilled. There were very few Australians. Con Frangonasopoulos

After a few years in Broken Hill and teaching myself English, I decided to apply for a position in the Post Office. I had to pass an IQ test and I passed very well, so I was offered a job which I accepted. Luka Oreb

They walked to the mine day after day. Eventually, because they were good workers , they got a job on the mine. My father was there for twenty five years. Ante Zaknich

My first job in Australia. Karl Karthauser Milham Hadad opened a fruit shop when he first came to Broken Hill. It was difficult to get good fruit so after a few years he decided to sell his business and buy a truck to cart the fruit from Mildura to Broken Hill. Anita Mazuran

Manda took in boarders and washed clothes for single Yugoslav men to make extra money. There were many men who came out on their own, virtually penniless. Joyce Ravlich

Water Commission pipeline.Ivan Kolinac was always happy to employ apprentices. He employed up to thirty five during the boom years of the city. He was a fair but hard taskmaster. Ivan Kolinac (Jnr)

I worked on my own for twenty one years. Ante (Tony) Zaknich Bruna Genua and family making hay while the sun shines.

Marina quickly set about her business of hawking, walk-ing to customers all over town. It was during this period that people referred to her as ̒Bundle Maryʼ because she carried an enormous bundle strapped or tied to her back. It contained womenʼs frocks, blouses and exquisitely embroidered underwear as well as soaps and perfumes, usually in a large tablecloth with the corners tied diagonally. Ramon Ware

I left the Snack Bar when I got a job on the mine. I worked in the Mill at NBHC (New Broken Hill Consolidated) for twenty six years until I retired. Spiros Niarros

We operated poultry farms , market gardens, bakeries and dairies. We were shoemakers, dressmakers and tailors. We were housekeepers, cooks and carers ...

EMPLOYMENT...

Jack De Franceschi trowelling cement the easy way.

There was another German fellow there, and on weekends and some nights we had a contract with him to go and catch rabbits with rabbit traps. We doubled our wages, just catching rabbits. They had to be cleaned and dressed and I got five shillings a pair. Karl Karthauser

We had a roaring trade in those days in the shop because we were the only fruit and veg shop out the South. We had our fresh stuff from Stephen’s Creek and we often drove to Port Pirie on a Saturday to get a load of tomatoes. Angelina (Anne) Attard

I worked in the bush because for me , it was quicker to make money when it was needed. After that I moved into Broken Hill and I found a job on my own. Luigi Zanette

Pietro Barzelatto and friend, Menindee. c.1953. Kolinacʼs store opened in 1957.

We originally leased the pub for two years and after that the owner wanted to sell the pub so we bought it. We were there from 1974 to 1980. Ivan Vlatko

Luigi Reato migrated from Italy in 1923 at the age of fifteen. Mery Cheso migrated from Italy and married Luigi in 1937. They settled on a poultry farm at Silverton from 1937 to 1955, when they sold the farm to the Genua family. Luigi and Mery bought the Silverton Hotel in 1956. They remained there until 1973. Innis McLeod

We started transporting goods from Adelaide to Broken Hill in 1953. The semi-trailer business got bigger and bigger and is still going today. Joseph (Joe) Attard

Afghan camel train.

John Zahra arrived in Broken Hill in 1919. He worked as a miner on the North Mine for many years.

EMPLOYMENT

I worked hard for Horrie Edwards, and Millie was always stitching while I was at work at the Silverton tramway. When I had about three hundred coupons, I went to Adelaide and bought some material and I started my own business. Rudolph Alagich OAM

That was my job : looking after my men, washing, cleaning , ironing and looking after the garden. Kata Andrich

When I was ready to have the baby, the midwife came. Johnny and Ron were born at home ; the midwife came to the home. She travelled in a cart and horse. Voijko, my youngest son , was born at the Broken Hill Hospital. Ivan was just like all the husbands of that time — when the babies were due , he just went to his friends ’ places or he went to work. Kata Andrich

... we shared the Lode.

We ended up buying the Okeh Café in Argent Street. We were only going to be there for two years and we stayed for nine. Maria Petkovich

I was twelve and the eldest girl in our family. I only went to school for about three months and then my father sent me to Puccini’s boarding house to clean and help with the children — and I hated it. He sent me to work because there wasn’t enough money and I did all the housework plus washing outside in the yard with a big scrubbing brush and board ; washing the miners ’ clothes and the family ’s clothes. Dina Spagnol

Manda Ravlich took in boarders and washed clothes for single Yugoslav men to make extra money. There were many men who came out on their own, virtually penniless. They were saving money to bring out wives and girlfriends. Manda and Ante took them into their home and befriended them. Joyce Ravlich

After the children grew up I went back to dress-making. For me itʼs a pastime because I donʼt like the hands idle; not for me. I like to do something. Anna Caon

We raised chooks. I donʼt know how I did it but my husband wouldnʼt kill the chooks, so I did — then I hung them up for a day. I boiled the copper in the yard and plucked and cleaned them the next day. The following day I cooked them but I donʼt eat chicken now! Dina Spagnol

John De Franceschi arrived in 1950, followed by his three brothers: Jack, Cesare and Dino. The four brothers consolidated a family business under the name of De Franceschi Brothers. Barbara De Franceschi OAM

I worked for Johnny Separovich for a few years. I was the youngest one there and I did everything : sweeping, shovelling — whatever had to be done. Petar Petkovich

When I first came , one day I worked eight hours for one dollar; still I was happy because I bought cheap things. I bought three or four loaves of bread with that dollar and I boarded with other Greek migrants. Nicholas (Nick) Drosos

Angelo Forner at work.

John Vidorin, John Forner, Bob Dodimead and Jack Vidorin were all members of the Forner brothersʼ team.

Larry was a miner at the Zinc Corporation for over thirty two years. He and his sons accumulated over one hundred and seventy years service to the mining industry. The balance of those years came from seven brothers: Lawrence, Francis, Joseph, George, Sam, John, and Vincent. Joseph (Joe) Gauci

Mum plucked and cleaned the chickens all by hand. The Broken Hill Hospital was their main customer; other customers were the big stores in Broken Hill and some of the fish shops and restaurants. They supplied all the eggs and dad would bring them in to Broken Hill on Thursdays. Vita La Rovere

Bobby Shamrose (at left in photo) working on the Warburton Giles documentary. Bobby has been in a number of movies, including Hostage, in which he played the part of an Egyptian.

Dal Santo profession day.

HARDSHIPS

Dad had this little boat and after a while, to survive, they caught perch and cod and sent it to a shop in Broken Hill. Jenny Cattonar There were water restrictions: there was no water in Umberumberka, no water in Stephens Creek. They carried water on the train from Menindee. From eight oʼclock to four oʼclock there was no water at all. It closed completely down, so you washed early in the morning if you were allowed to do it. Rozalia (Rose) Cetinich

Typical Broken Hill dust storm, 1907.

Dust storm, Argent Street, 1955.

We experienced language difficulties , isolation and loneliness. We shared extreme weather conditions with our neighbours. Dust storms and water restrictions were part of life.

Every Saturday and Sunday the dust would come ; you would clean up and it would come again. Kata Andrich

I still have difficulties sometimes with the language. When I first arrived , I had a lot of discrimination from other people — mainly Australians, but now forty four years later, I have no difficulties at all. I seem to have got used to the style of Broken Hill. Karl Karthauser

We had no money so there was no washing -machine. My hands were the washing -machine. I used a copper sometimes and I made the soap. Bruna Genua

Sometimes I went to the pub to drink with Greek friends. The Australians would push us out but after we had a big fight they would let us in the pub and we would drink together! Spiros Niarros

Mr King, the Sports Master, appointed me as the captain of the school when I was in sixth class. A letter was written by an irate parent to Mr King, stating that he did not want his son participating in sport while a dago was the captain and that this was the feeling amongst many other parents. When I heard of this letter I left Alma School, very disappointed, and enrolled in the Central School for a very short time. Rudolph Alagich OAM

Towards the end of the war the Government sent Dad and other men to Barmera in South Australia to cut wood. The men worked in groups of ten and were initially paid a weekly wage. Later a contract system was introduced but morale was low and the men only did enough to earn wages. Noris Braes

I used to go to the phone box in front of our house with a box full of pennies to ring all the hotels for their orders. I was out there for a couple of hours in the hot phone box. Angelina (Anne) Attard

Before we left for school in the morning, we milked four or five cows and fed at least three thousand chickens. Lunchtime we went home and collected eggs. After school we fed the chooks and collected more eggs and milked the cows again. Angelina (Anne) Attard

My father was interned in Cowra because of the war and then sent to Stawell in Victoria where he worked on a railway line. It was hard for mum with three children. Gabriella (Gay) De Franceschi

We were in a shop called and it was there I noticed the shop assistants bending down behind the counter and laughing at my mother’s lack of English and I was very annoyed. Olga De Franceschi

In about 1980 my son came home to me one day, and said ʻDad, theyʼre making fun of my name. What shall I do?ʼ I said, ̒Well either learn to fight son, or you put up with it and donʼt let it worry youʼ. So consequently, he ironed out a few and that sorted that problem out! Reginald (Reg) Pedergnana

My mother returned from a shop crying. The salesperson weighed the sugar or flour and my mother said ̒ basta, bastaʼ meaning ̒enough, enoughʼ. We had kilograms in Italy and Australia had pounds and ounces, so it was confusing. We heard later that the salesperson told people that my mother had called her a bastard and of course my mother walked away. From that day she said she wouldnʼt go shopping anymore. Shopping became my chore. Filomena Tormena

I can remember some children at the infants school making fun of my hand -knitted clothes and the fact that my parents ate ‘ grill food ’. How different it is today, when the ‘in thing’ is to use olive oil , garlic , drink wine and eat pasta. Noris Braes

You didnʼt know the money. Iʼd go into the shop and give him (shopkeeper) all the money. I wouldnʼt know if he took the right money or not! Anna Caon

I remember Menindee because it wasnʼt a very good life in Menindee. Mum and dad were always tired and we were always struggling. Jenny Cattonar

I was only home (from war) for a couple of years when dad got killed on the mine. One hundred men walked in front of the hearse at his funeral. Joseph (Joe) Attard

It was really hard in Broken Hill when we first came, because there were no jobs and Dusan was working in a trench — Iʼll never forget it. His job was really hard so we went into the fish shop, believe it or not! Vera Sulicich

It was difficult for a few years when I had to see a doctor. People expected to be paid if they took you. We didnʼt give them money, but my husband had to work for them for nothing. Olga Zanette

Persons of all nationalities flocked to Broken Hill when Charles Rasp discovered silver in 1883. They were the pioneers of the multicultural community to which we all belong.

People were very kind to me — I was always grateful for that. Everybody was good. Kata Andrich

A sharing of cultures: Doug Carroll and Tom McReynolds teach Paul Zammit to toss the caber at St Patrickʼs Day Picnic, c. 1950s.

I was a bit shy, especially when I first came. Dad took me down to the Billies (Alma Sporting Club) to have a drink. Everybody knew I was his son because they talked on the mine, you know. Dad was known as Big Tony. His friends came to me ʻHello, Helloʼ. Ante Zaknich

The Yugoslavs, Italians and Greeks all stuck together because they were all very much in the same boat and were called grills and wogs. I canʼt really recall children from ethnic backgrounds having associations with Australians during my childhood. Iʼm not saying it didnʼt happen but we tended to stick with our own. Alex Dennis

Ninety percent of our customers were Australians. All the footballers and their supporters drank at the All Nations and they were all like a big family. Then again, my wife and children were pleasant to the customers — same as me. Ivan Vlatko

In 1966 I was the first recipient of a meritorious award for soccer from the South Australian Government. Rudolph Alagich OAM

I was already thirty six years old when I arrived in Australia. I knew only fifty two words of English at that time. I could have learned English during those four years at the camp but, you see, we had no home! We didnʼt know if we would be accepted in Australia or the United States or wherever. Luka Oreb

I enjoy Broken Hill tremendously — the friendliness of the people. Most Iʼve met are very nice. We also have the Filipino Support Group and we have a Womenʼs Multicultural Group. There are all nationalities. I like to mix with all types of people. Carrie Anderson

My Grandfather, Emanuel Pedergnana, had his grocery shop in Piper Street where mostly all the Italians and Yugoslavs lived. He was well-known and respected and they all supported him. The name Pedergnana in Broken Hill, even to this generation, is still well-known. Reg Pedergnana

When the kids went to school, I worked at the tuck shop. That helped me become part of the community. Saverina Dall’Armi

The men made friends at work. It was more difficult for women from the Yugoslav community because they didn’t mix with other people. They didn’t join any community organisations ; they just mixed with their own. Vinka Bartulovich

The Greek Ladies Auxiliary were fantastic and would put on some top dances every Sunday in the Greek Hall and have their and and play oth-er games. We kids would run around wild — it was good fun and we all stuck together, but it wasn’t closed to other people , everyone was welcome. Families were growing up and getting married and they weren’t just marrying Greeks; they were marrying Italians or Australians so all families were welome. Kathy Skiadas

I really appreciated the way the Broken Hill people treated us ... they used to offer the cake and biscuit and drinks. We talked to them. If you were in busi-ness, you had to try to talk and learn and appreciate what people did , which we did. I used to talk nicely, they used to talk nicely, no trouble at all ! Jack De Franceschi

When you become involved in a town , you become part of that town. Maria Petkovich

The Zammit family celebrate St Patrickʼs Day at popular Penrose park.

Greek float — proudly combining the symbols of both their new and old cultures during the parade for Broken Hillʼs 75th birthday.

Top to bottom: Yugoslav, Italian and Maltese floats join in the celebrations.

COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE

SOCIAL LIFE ...

Melita Soccer Club, 1960. Back: Karl Karthauser, Tony ?, Tony Pfeffer, George Bugeja, George ?, Louis ?, Pat English. Front: Fred Saliba, Les Harris, George Bugeja Jnr, ?, Mario Donda.

SOCIAL LIFE ...Our social life revolved around our friends and fellow country-persons. The Napredak , Italian , Greek and Maltese Clubs provided strong support for their members.

The family would all get together and bring their children and grandfather would play the accordion — they made their own fun ; wonderful times. Reginald (Reg) Perdergnana

Friends: Jela Bartulovich and Anica Ravlich.

Napredak Club

Yugoslav migrants came here as single men or married men without wives, and everybody had in mind to stay one or two years, make a few hundred pounds and go back home. But they found out it was hard to make a fortune here, so they started bringing their wives and their children to settle in Broken Hill.

By 1928 the Slav community needed its own meeting place and the Napredak Club was born. Our forefathers had a great ambition for the salvation of our future. They expressed it in the constitution of the Club: unite all Yugoslavs in Broken Hill; help with newcomers and integrate with the local people.

Our very first founders, when they formed the first Yugoslav Club in Australia, made sure that people from one area of Yugoslavia didnʼt dominate. The emphasis was on friendship towards all people from Yugoslavia.

The founding members of the Napredak Club were: Joe Alagich (President), Peter Vukobratovich (Vice President), Ivan Segedin (Secretary), Matt Alagich, Steve Alagich, Vic Alagich, Ivan Cetinich, Matt Giljevich, Ivan Grubusich, Tom Katich, Ante Kovacevich, Pasko Kronja, Luka Lupis, Jerko Marinovich, Mijo Nemcich, Joe Perina, Ivan Ravlich, Ante Serich, Jure Sutich, Ivan Viskich, and Vic Viskovich.

When the Club was built in 1936 it was for the Yugoslavs. In later years, the Napredak Club decided to change its name from the Yugoslav Community Club to the Broken Hill Community Club. Everybody willing to obey our constitution may become a full member of the Napredak Club.

We have managed to avoid hate, petty jealousy and rivalry seen in other countries where many people from Yugoslavia have settled. We owe a lot to those early pioneers.

The Broken Hill Italian community had parties here and they played bocce. There were two or three bocce pitches around Broken Hill and that’s where they used to go. Louis (Lou) Forner

The only time we played was when dad went into town and mum would let us have a bit of a play. We watched the road and when we saw a cloud of dust coming we started working again! Angelina (Anne) Attard

I felt like I was in my own town in Blato; it was like a big family. We used to go to the Napredak Club and the GUOOF Hall to dance. We were always together — all the Croatian people. Jagoda Vlatko

We all used to meet at one house in Eyre Street — sitting at a big table on a verandah that had big grapevines ; talking , talking , talking. It was wonderful. I didn’t need anybody. I had friends, sisters, relations. Maria Oreb

There were plenty of Maltese in Broken Hill when I arrived in 1939. We always went to the Maltese Club when they had something happening , but after so many years , the club was discontinued. Rosina Micallef

We didn’t have an Italian Club in those days but people met at Licosi ’s in Iodide Street. We had dances at Rossetti ’s boarding house in Delamore Street. Italian people from the South came and played accordions and guitars. It was nice. Dina Spagnol

Napredak band, 1939. When I was a teenager we had the Napredak Club where we met and had dances every Saturday night. Even though my brothers were playing in the band, I still wasnʼt allowed to go without my parents. Millie Alagich

Ted and Russell Khan, supporters of Police Boys Club, c.1950s.

The Napredak band, 1934.

Napredak celebrations!

SOCIAL LIFE ...

Broken Hill Centenary celebrations 1983: persons from diverse cultural backgrounds dressed in national costumes and came together to celebrate as one community.

The Greek Hall in Argent Street was a huge get-together place where the Greek community would have dances and meals at the Greek Hall. You would have to get there early to get a table because the place would be packed. That ’ s how families kept together. Kathy Skiadas

The Italian Club helped its people to settle in Broken Hill. They held a dance at Druids (Hall) on Wednesday nights ; a dance at the GUOOF Hall every Saturday night. There was something, including sport, almost every day of the week. John De Franceschi

There were a lot of Lebanese in Broken Hill and they all mixed together. They went for picnics , meals and visited each other ’ s places. They stuck together a lot more then. They were nice , kind , honest people who helped each other. Anita Mazuran

Across from the All Nations Hotel , Mr Bacarich made a big bocce pitch at the back of his house and that is where we used to go until the club was built. Vinka Bartulovich

The Napredak Club was a great help in assimilating ; they had socials and dances there every Sunday night. I was lucky because I had met two Australian girls and I had become friends with them and they were married to Yugoslavs as well. So we were all going through the same thing, which helped a lot I think. Joyce Ravlich

Greeks really enjoy gambling and they often patronised the game of Two-Up. Nicholas (Nick) Chrisakis

Earlier days: Nick and Vickie Drosos with friend Con Frangos.

Norwegian Day celebrations, c.1960s. Richard De Franceschi climbs the greasy pole! The Club provided concerts and dancing: mum and dad were there, so we were there too. Our social life at the club was wonderful, c.1950. Vinka Bartulovich

Top: friends for life: Con Lake, Harry Alexiades, Spiros Niarros and Nick Drosos.

The Italian Club held picnics and in those days we used to go to Mt Gipps or Stephens Creek and Penrose Park. Those days are gone now. Jenny Cattonar

Members of the Broken Hill Italo International Club took part in annual excursions, including a trip to Tasmania.

Referees: visitor, Italo Martini and Steve Mazuran. Caon and Barzelatto families, c.1960s.